CROSS-fit #55 Legacy

August 25th 2011, Thursday. 5:45 pm.
My grandfather, Joseph Lim, moved on to a better place.
It all happened in my hands, literally. A breaking moment isn't enough to describe it.
All I know is that he is in safer hands, happier, smiling down on us.
It all happened so fast, from 3 weeks ago till now.
I look back and think if there is one thing I did learn from all these...
One which is fitting to honor his life on this blog but... I just couldn't find any at all.
Even still, there is one regret, one regret I will always have...
That I wasn't able to hear of his stories, his life. That I wasn't able to know him more, learn his life lessons.
I'm thankful that a few weeks ago, I was inspired by the moment to actually visit him while he was well.
He smiled and was happy. Little did I know that the immediate next week, he would be admitted.

I wish, yes I wish, that I could have done the past differently.
However, in moments leading up to it. I realized that I did know him.
I knew my grandfather better than anyone else, and that he was going to be at peace.
It was simple, he had left a legacy, a legacy so strong that no one could deny who he was.
It's said that how a tree is like is determined by the fruits they bear.

Perhaps it's like life, we all want to strive to have quick success.
We want so much volume, we want the most out of everything and squeeze it all out.
In any workout we do, we squeeze it all out every single time and we should!
But just sometimes, take time to think about it...
Is this all for nothing? Is me busting Fran out and being the best at it going to mean anything at all?
Then what is?

My grandfather really did outdo himself even till the end.
I may not have learnt much of his characteristics in person, but he really does live through us all.

I know he was one heck of a fighter, cause he didn't give up his battle, he survived 50 years of smoking and gave it up for himself and the family, he fought till the very end.
I know he was a lover, for the last person he saw, the last person he smiled to before he passed on was his wife, my grandma.
I know he was a very hardworking person, cause my mum works harder than anyone else I ever knew.
I know that in his own ways, he loved God tremendously, cause my brother loves God with all his heart.
I know that he was a persistent man, that despite circumstances, he wouldn't flinch an inch, as seen by how Yvonne is like.
I know that gramps was a gentleman, cause he never let any one of his daughters feel left out. Cause his only son was so much of a gentleman as well.
I know that Gong gong was a caring father and grandfather cause his children never went hungry and were always satisfied at every stage of their lives.
I know that his friends will remember him as a capable man, for he worked his way up to success, bringing my whole family up along with him.
I know that he loved his family and every single one of his children. He cared for them and look who they are now, successful, strong man and woman.
I know that he loves to smile, he loves to be happy, cause my whole family loves laughing, loves being together.
I know that my grandfather was a strong man, not physically, but in his heart. Cause I have learnt that from him.
Lastly, I know that my grandpa was a good man, he was a upright, he was proud and he is happy, Right Now.

He's left behind some great legacies.
They may not be great in number, but I'm sure they've all lived in us.
Thinking about it, he may not have taught me much directly...
But looking back, maybe he did, he did move mountains to get me to where I am today.
I won't forget his habits, his gestures, though it wasn't a whole lot of time spent, I will miss them.
I thank God for his life and I thank God for the Wonders that he has left on the Earth.
They may be little, but they're Wonders nonetheless.
Thanks Gong, and your legacy will live on, in me and in all that I encounter, you had a part to play.

So what's going to be your legacy you leave behind? Let it last, let it be memorable.

In the middle, My grandfather, Joseph Lim.

CROSS-fit #54 Stubborness

If there's one thing I've learnt in the past 2 months or rather enforced.
Is to be one persistent, stubborn, optimistic dumbass.
Yeah, you just need to be sucked in and be totally confident that you're going to succeed.
Or in other cases, that things will turn out for the better.
Recently, there has been successes here and there...

But today I'm really tasked to test this to the fullest of my ability.
But it's true ain't it?
The violent take it by force, the persistent just don't give up.
As cliche as it sounds...
Don't stop Believing.
Be stubborn and just keep keep trying.

When you just can't get the lift, my goodness don't stop trying.
Invest time, effort, your damn life into it.
If this is what you want, then do everything for it.
Love's a risk and take that risk.
It's true, the more you risk, the harder you fall. But c'mon!!!
That's life isn't it. Disappointments come and go but...
Hope never dies.

Right now, I pray that all will be well.
For friends.
For family.
For the one man I know who's fighting with all he's got to be strong and hanging on.
And I'm gonna believe in him.

CROSS-fit #53 When the World says no

When the World says no....
Yeah, sometimes it denies you of the mere joys in life.
Them second chances which you always wanted.

Life is hard... More so, frail.

When you're not given that rep, when you're given 'no count'.
Yeah, the WOD says no.
I guess we all have that feeling all the time.
"Heck, I just did something nobody could've done! I just did the impossible,
now you tell me that it wasn't legit?"
So right here, you could tell yourself, I don't think I can do that again...
I can't do impossible twice, can I?
Well, impossible is no longer impossible cause you just debunked it's supporting facts.

Gosh, when you don't get that job or have to prove yourself again and again all the time.
Don't whine and feel sorry for yourself.
The last thing you need is self pity.
Shake it off, and let's go.
Again and again, even if the 'nos' keep coming.
One day, it'll be a yes.



Drag till the 5th minute to see... 
The story of how the World said no, but he replied with his own answer.

CROSS-fit #52 Patience

Many people love Crossfit cause it's said to be fast.
A quick recipe for better fitness, body and life.
Kind of like the quick fix that we all look for. Instant results etc.
But good things are always worth the wait.
Don't walk in thinking that in a few moments, I'll be someone amazing.
That it's going to be an easy one hour and I'm done.
Don't rush crossfit, don't rush through life.

Cause the journey to get there is just as important as the destination.
Enjoy the moment, enjoy the process.
Dare to love, dare to make mistakes and enjoy it.
Be patient about it.

Patience isn't just about waiting, it's about the attitude you have while waiting.


So have some of that while lifitng, while pushing, while slogging it out in life.
Have some of that when making tough decisions which will hurt you.
Grab some patience when another one bites the dust, cause you'll come up again.
Be willing to wait for it. Even if it means living in uncertainty.
Don't get so caught up in life, you forget to enjoy it. Live it out!!

CROSS-fit #51 Concise Articulation

Do you know what you want in life?

Really...

Do you?

Waking up every morning, what do you look forward to?

Entering any workout at all, what is it that you wanna get out of it?

Do you really want that new PR on the lift?
Really want that badass time in completing the 'impossible' WOD?
Or rather, do you want that business deal?
Maybe it's that A+ which awaits you on results day.
Then again, it may just be that boy or girl and that magical relationship you hope for.
Or to simply just be closer to GOD every step of the way.

What do you want?

Get it in your head, it's all or nothing in this World.

Sadly, there's always going to be someone much better than you in, 'life'.

So know what you want, and get desperate for it.
Do anything for it.

Risk getting hurt. The pain, humiliation, time, despair, disappointment.

Risk it all if you really really do want it.

Then maybe, just maybe, you'll get it, and when you do....

You'll know it...

It's not some figurative, imaginative random thought flying by.

it's something you can concisely articulate.

I want this _____ .

It makes the success a whole lot more pleasurable.
It makes the journey there way more bearable, even joyful at times.
And say it out when you do, be proud of what you want, cause sooner or later,
YOU are gonna get it...

It's all out

Many have questioned, asked, in the past months.
Who am I...
Sometimes I ask that myself.
Who is the real, real me?
In a sense, I sound like a typical confused, schizo fella.
But really, we all have that moments don't we.
We become someone totally different when we're in front of someone else.
We act and behave in the strangest of manner which makes no sense whatsoever.
However, we all seem to live fine with it, every single time...

Well, since the start of the year, I've made a choice. To merge every part of me together.
That there's no facade, take it or leave it.
Regardless of what others say or think, this is the real me now...
One whom is oblivious to so many problems and troubles around him but just seeks happiness.
One who lives life freely, without boundaries.
One who chases his dreams, visions without any fear.

True enough, those whom have withered away, yeah, they probably couldn't accept it.
Those who stayed, are really those who carry me.
I've never felt more like myself ever.
More 'alive' in a sense.
It was really cause of YOU.
The one seemingly adorable, barfing, unglam maccheeks.
One I can never thank enough.

However, I wouldn't want it to end here. No no...
Change is the only constant.
So yeah, time for me to effect change on others.
Time for me to make a difference in Your life.

CROSS-fit #50 The Push

In everyday life, we push, we pull, we lift, we run, we move.
However, what does it really mean when someone comes down to you and says...
"Push it"


Well, the dictionary defines a push as,
"to effect or accomplish by thrusting obstacles aside"
So essentially, you're doing work. You're pushing something.
Yes, whatever you're doing.
In that tiny little head of yours which is not really functioning well in the midst of a 20 minute workout.
You tell yourself to "push yourself"
It really means pushing your mental boundaries, not your physical ones.

Cause you've always been pushing your physical body from the start of it all.
What really wears out fast is up there, that's where the real obstacle is building up.
Your mind registers pain, fatigue and yes, you have to push that thought aside.
That's how you Push The Limits.
It's called a push cause you actually have to make some effort.

It's called a push cause it's not meant to be easy.


In work, when it gets tough, push it further, push it harder.
Not in your physical sense, but in your head, give more each time.
Before you know it, you're the head and not the tail...

CROSS-fit #49 Far off

Summer has finally come to an end.
For many, it means the end of the first half.
Yes, we've done it guys!
I guess for some, the first half wasn't the best, for others, it was close to perfect with opportunities everywhere.

Whatever it is, just like every Workout in crossfit.
Everyone blasts through the first 1-2 minutes and forget that there's the 8 minutes of AMRAP left.
They give it all for their first 2 rounds in a 4 round WOD and realize that damn, they're still behind.
But really...

There's so much more fight left.

So wherever you're at, right now.
Don't just look back and see how badly we've done or how well we've done for that matter.
Take heart, cause it ain't over till we hear somewhere shout that 'TIME' word.
We've come so far off.
Don't give up now.
But instead, go harder, stronger.
In your dreams, career, vision, in life. Do that extra and it's always one starfish at a time, ain't it?

CROSS-fit #48 Heart-Strong

After 48 posts, I think I have the liberty to take one or two to get a little personal.

So this is it, I am finally 22.

Guess like every other important day, I spend most of my time well...

Looking back. At how the year has been and how life has changed...

Here goes.

Being 21, entering adulthood, wasn't as sweet as I had expected.

Wasn't easy in fact, I guess this year has been well, the toughest and most life changing year yet.

I've been through so many changes, trials, tests, victories, defeats...

I've honestly made some dumb mistakes, some real dumb ones.

Some of them were pretty good mistakes as well.

However, all of them, I'm thankful for.

Life kind of hit me this year, yeah it really did, in full force.

Probably didn't take it so well mid way through being 21.

But I guess things really got better...

I'm glad, that things turned out the way they are, though some are not peach perfect but...

I'm still glad that they are as such. And it's really a new phase this time.

New mind.

New body.

New heart.

New smile.

New Friendships.

New Lifestyles.

New Relationships.

New breakthroughs.

New problems.

New heartaches.

New happiness.

New Life.

New Heroes.

New Dreams.

However, if there's something I have learnt...

It's about well, being true to yourself.

Not to have any illusions, not to deny who you are.

To be able to motivate, to talk to yourself and to make them choices in life.

Cause sometimes, you may have a multitude by your side, cheering you on but sometimes...

It's just you and that bar, you and that life, you and God hustling it out.

So hold on and keep fighting. Take Courage, take Heart.

Another thing is that well, all around me...

There're amazing people.

People who lift, not put down.

Those who genuinely cared when frankly... I didn't at all.

Those who insisted on being there, on listening and caring even though I was a pain.

Those who know who I really am but accepts me for who I am.

Those who have made me smile and changed me so much, for the better.

Those who pressed in when I had no heart to do so.

People who believed in me.

And those who gave me Heart.

If there're just 2 things, this is it.

Ain't too perplexed ain't it? It's easy, simple but sometimes tough to realize.

So take it from me.

Sit down, search deep down inside, find that few friends, find that solemn place where it's you and God.

And fight it all out together and be extraordinary.

That's how you be HEART-STRONG

CROSS-fit #47 In it for?

Last weekend concluded the grueling test to find the fittest person on Earth.

Crossfit Games 2011 Champion, Richard Froning Jr.

The Crossfit Games 2011 held at the home depot center in the States.

Didn't catch much of it but watched all the highlights.

Congrats to big man Rich Froning Jr for taking it all.

A man who accredits most of his mental strength from his Christian Faith.

Much respect.
Check out his blog Crossfit Faith, Really inspirational stuff

However, I was struck by what one of the commentators said.

"There're basically 3 types of competitors out here.

1) The people who are just thankful to make it though the preliminaries and are happy to be at the Games.

2) The people who are thankful to be here and hope that whatever event comes out are to their advantage.

3) The people whom are here to win it all, whatever happens."

I guess it's simple, some people are just happy to be where they are, to have made it thus far and wouldn't mind losing one or two battles at this stage. After all, they had never expected to reach this place.

The next are those who want to win, but just bank on 'luck'. If this topic comes out, if this situation comes out in the business venture, if I'm tasked to lead only youths, no one else, then would I be good at it.

Lastly, are those who just take the cake. Everything goes, EVERYTHING. Come what may, they're mental focus isn't just to get by or leave their fate to luck...

They make their own luck.

CROSS-fit #46 Lemons

Life isn't exactly a bed of roses. Isn't exactly peach perfect every single time.
However, like the old cliched saying...
When Life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

Cause we would like to think that we can change our immediate surroundings.
We can change whatever weight is lying in front of us during the WOD.
We can change what other people think and feel about us and about relationships.
Especially for Christians, sometimes we pray with utmost hope that God will change the World for you.
Sorry guys, he only does that once in a blue moon (Noah's ark)
Not to say it won't happen but... Thats not the point.
Things around you won't change if you just sit there, hoping and thinking.

What changes is you.

How you take things, how you muster courage to face up to the task at hand.
How you're gonna actually pick up that 100kg bar.
How you take the crushing news that things just won't work out.
And most of all, how you're gonna react to it all.

We don't change the World at the get go. We change the World by changing ourselves.
Cause darn like what we always say in Crossfit, it's unpredictable, it's random, it's cruel, this World we live in.
So you can either sprawl up in bed awaiting death or...
You can be a 'rockstar', do what you want and be outstanding at it.

So are you gonna make some nice lemonade? Or are you gonna suck on it?

CROSSfit #45 Make it Count

We all begin excited. Everyone does...
Starting out in Crossfit, starting out in anything new in life, it's a new passion.
A new Drive.
However, soon after, it begins to die down. Eventually, it'll really be mundane.
It'll be you walking through those doors every single time and.

Alright, time to get intense. Time to just keep doing what I have always been doing.


Crossfit prides itself in being the sport which is elicits negative adaptation.
In other words, it doesn't allow your body to adapt to any form of trial, which eventually helps to improve overall fitness.
However, I guess this is in everything, but everyone, everyone will adapt to cycles, to life.

That's when we just go through the motion...
We go through life with the simple idea that, yeah, I just gotta keep coming back, doing what I'm doing all the time.
I just need to keep slogging, I just need to put food on the table.
I just need to serve and get these seats filled, I just need to study and get my grades in school.
But man, what happened to that passion?
What happened to your days which mattered?
Your time which actually counted for its worth?

We talk about intensity, but when was the last time we didn't go through the motion but really
Became Intense in our head.
Don't go head in to the workout without a right frame of mind.
Don't let the day die without you doing something useful.
Make a difference in someone, today. Make your day count.

CROSS-fit #44 2 eyes

You walk through those doors, those big doors.
You're always welcome, greeted by big wide smiles every single time.
It's quite an assumption to state that nobody really judges you.

Sadly, we live in reality.

Yeah, everyone looks at you and immediately develops an impression of you.
Walking through, you may be big and buff
"This guy looks tough but is so going down."
Walking through, you may have massive weight disorders.
"Alright, he really needs to take some good look at himself and get his butt moving".
Even walking into church, you're sized.
"Is this fella a cleaver? Or a leaver?"
Be it big or small, we all form impressions and perceptions of one another.
It's a natural fact of life.


Well you may be newbie in the box, in your work place, in your church.
Your past is what people look at. What you've done, what you've accomplished.
But don't live on it.
Even if it was a success, or an utter failure.
Shun away all judgments simply cause what matters is how 2 people think.

You and God.

Start afresh, every single time.
They say you can't, but yes, you can. A clean slate.
That's what Crossfit is all about, giving athletes a new chance to start from the very basics again.
That's why Jesus died on the cross, wasn't it?

I wish..

We all wish for something in life....

To be bigger, to be better.

To lead a happier life, to be more optimistic.

To get that car, to get that girl.

To be simply you.

Then comes the dumb rational thought which crumbles them all.

What are the consequences? What are the risks? What if this or that or....

Well, everyone faces such crossroads.

We could do the thing that everyone else does, choose the safe route.

The less adventurous one. The enclosed one with little or no distractions.

But if we do this, if we just take the route that everyone is taking...

Then maybe we'll be just like them. Always wishing for something to happen...

Or we could be different, be rash, excited, passionate and make the 'wrong' decision.

Yeah, you'll crash and burn often.

But it'll be worth it. Cause you won't be saying "I wish" but more of... "I tried"

And have no regrets whatsoever.

CROSS-fit #43 MIstakes

Somewhere along the road, everyone is bound to make some mistakes.
Some big, some small.
Some hurtful, some detrimental.
But one thing is for sure, it'll almost always hurt.

I hate making them, it makes me look bad, weak, vulnerable.
Why can't everything be perfect? My form, my fitness, all from the get go.

I will always remember my very first significant injury.
Inexperienced, rash, excited, thinking that my form was perfect.
Did a rounded back deadlift and snap.
There goes my back...

Did I hate myself for it? Yeah I did...
Regret, abundance of it, was stirring all around.
It took me a long while to get back into action again.
It was an agonizing 2 months. Could've been longer if it wasn't for Coach K.

But in every mistake we make, there's always something to take back.
God makes everything perfect in its own time.
There, I learnt that form is darn important, if not vital.
If I didn't make that dumb mistake then, who knows what more serious an injury I would've made now.
I learnt to trust, when things went haywire, I had no one else to trust but.. Coach.

Mistakes....
Love hate relationship, I know.
But you'll never know what great things can come out of it.
You'll never know who you'll meet, what you'll learn, who you'll experience.

CROSS-fit #42 Begin with yourself

I'm sure it's in the blood of almost every crossfit athlete.
Or any passionate sportsman or anyone believing strongly about whatever ideals they have.
All want to spread the love, all would want to influence others to join in.
To drag so many potential athletes out of that air conditioned useless gym to the rusty down to Earth Box.
To experience that change we all have been through.
This amazing life that we now live.
This love that we have encountered!

However, it's never that easy is it?
Have been asked this question hundreds of times, of which the responses have varied as I've learnt more.
"What is Crossfit?"
The sad thing about it is well, 2 things....
The person ridicules whatever crossfit is or...
The person easily brushes it aside and ignores everything I've said..

You can't argue someone into a sport, into a passion.
You can't argue someone into the Kingdom of God.
So I've adopted a new concept.
Let your life speak for itself.

I'm not gonna be too ambitious and say that I can change the World.
But I know I can change myself.
I'd rather the question "What have you done with yourself? You seem fitter, you seem happier!"
From that, I can change those whom I care about.
One Starfish at a time.
My brother, my family, my colleague, my classmates.
Who knows, maybe the World one day.

CROSS-fit #41 Product of the Heart

Probably heard it more than once around here.
Strength doesn't come from the body but really, from the heart.
Most of what you are, who you are, ain't made up of what goes through your head.
But what's in your heart.

There're times where your mind tells you that certain things are just impossible.
You've done the 230# deadlift and it's easy, but fear is in your heart. You probably won't get it.
You're attempting a PR of a minute in Fran, logically impossible but your heart is ready. You've got it.
Math, logic and facts are only valid to a certain extent.
But let it be a product of your heart.

Your life, your relationship, your whole entity.
Don't let your mind get in the way of your heart. Sometimes, you need to let it lead.

So Heart be strong, be sure, be courageous.


Most importantly, fill your heart with Love.
Love for what you're doing, who you are, who you're with and let it flow.
That's when the real you comes, that's when true, unbelievable strength originates from.
Stop asking 'why' but 'what now'. Cause that makes a whole lot more sense.

Present

Listening to : Good Life - One Republic

Looking back, the past really is a shudder, can't seem to stand the sight of it.
Looking forward, the future is uncertain, doubtful, insecure at times.
Well, whatever has happened before, whatever happens tomorrow, we have today.

Wouldn't exactly know what the future holds for every single one of us.
Heartbreak, sadness, smiles, glory, happiness, joy, Love?
Planning is definitely a must but...
Don't get too caught up in that (Telling myself that)
What matters is now. That we enjoy the moment, live for it.

Sometimes, just sometimes, logic, practicality, meaning takes a secondary role when you just look at where you are...
Now.
I'd like to think I've changed, become different the past one month.
Never has this happened before.
Looking at my position now, of course there's a lot left to be desired but...
I've never been happier in such a long while.

"She made you decent, and in return, you made her so happy."
I'm a Persistent Optimistic Stubborn Scum
And cause I've actually really found the game changer.
I'm going to keep trying.

CROSS-fit #40 Scars

Blisters, Shin Scrapes, Bruises from the fall off the bar, the bar slamming into your chin.
Them scars....
Hate them really.
They don't just stick with you, probably for life, they hurt...

In the short term, they're going to be so much of a pain, you can't go on.
It just stops you from doing whatever, man, it even makes showering a big pain...
In the long run, they look terrible and always, you'll have a story to tell.
A story of how pain became a reality.

Scars.

I'm just staring at one of them right now, the open wound on my hand.
All due to the many pull ups we've done.
Some call it crazy, self mutilation, torture to a certain extent.
But nahhh, that's what they say.

But sometimes, just sometimes, scars mean more than just pain.
They remind you of the hurt you went through, the trials that you've overcome.
The valley experiences that you've had and how you've come across victorious.
Look at those scars and you'll remember how when nobody said you could,
you determined your own fate.

They'll continue to hurt, they may stay with you for life.
But what makes the difference is what you do from here on out.
To wuss away and not train anymore, all cause of a little cosmetic problem is at hand or cause it just hurts...
Everyone has their limits, their threshold of pain. why not try try pushing it?

The scars in life may be deep, sometimes they may never disappear.
But don't look at it and remember the pain, look at it and remember the victory.
Remember how in the toughest times, it was also the time you decided to keep on.
That's how Badas*es are born and made.

CROSS-fit #39 Cue it

Everyone hears these few words somewhere along their lives in whatever they're doing.

"Don't give up! Push it! Go harder Go harder! GO GO GO! Don't give up! Keep going!"

Yupp, these words are probably the best things you can hear from anyone when things are rough.

Well, during the workout, repeat this 20 times, yeah it's encouraging.

Do this about 100 times over and I'll probably want to kill you.

Encouragement is great, it's really fantastic. But often, that isn't what people need.

They need cues, they need to know what's going on.

What they're doing right or wrong...

Anyone, anyone at all can repetitively shout nice, happy words.

But not everyone can do the unkind thing, to tell you what's wrong.

That's what separates the people from the leaders. 

(Don't get me wrong, everyone, EVERYONE is meant to lead in one way or another)

So cue it.

Don't keep saying "Don't worry, it'll be ok" or "keep pushing it!".

You saying those simple words won't help them at all, it won't help them get their Muscle Up, or Pull Up or fix their relationship!

Maybe, just maybe, it'll lift their spirits a little...

But practicality.... ZERO USE.

"tighten your core!"

"Keep looking up, not down!"

"Use your hips not your hands!"

"Don't wallow in pity, look to God!"

"Do not have a spirit of fear!"

These have direction, these have instruction. These are cues.

They don't need to be a story or a sermon, they're to the point.

They're things people can instantly remember, apply and get better at whatever they're doing.

So the next time you want to keep saying, "Don't give up" and repeat it a million times...

Please think twice.

Instead, cue it.

Anyone can be great cheerleaders, but not everyone great leaders.